$40M Talc Verdict: A California jury returned its verdict in favor of a woman who claimed that talc in Avon Products Inc. (“Avon”) cosmetics caused her to develop cancer (mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos). The California jury awarded the woman $40 million in actual damages and $10.3 million in punitive damages in December 2022. The jury found that Avon management knew that the talc in its products posed a cancer risk but failed to warn consumers, and that Avon executives acted with “malice, oppression or fraud” in hiding the health risks associated with its products.
Avon was acquired by Natura Cosmetics SA in 2020.
In 2020, Avon removed talc from its products marketed in the United States. Avon was defending nearly 130 talc lawsuits as of 2020.
The California talc lawsuit filed by plaintiff Rita Chapman alleged that she had had worked as a human-relations specialist with Sears. The 76-year-old resident of Scottsdale, Arizona was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2021. She alleged in her talc lawsuit that she had used Avon powders that had high levels of asbestos. During trial, evidence showed that Avon was selling out of its stocks of those powders during the time the plaintiff used them.
Avon stated after the verdict, “We are disappointed by this verdict and will vigorously pursue all available avenues to appeal. Avon is confident that it has strong grounds for appeal and will continue to defend its position.”
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Talcum Powder And Cancer
The American Cancer Society states on its website: “When talking about whether talcum powder is linked to cancer, it is important to distinguish between talc that contains asbestos and talc that is asbestos-free. Talc that has asbestos is generally accepted as being able to cause cancer if it is inhaled. The evidence about asbestos-free talc is less clear.”
“Many studies in women have looked at the possible link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Findings have been mixed, with some studies reporting a slightly increased risk and some reporting no increase.”
“No increased risk of lung cancer has been reported with the use of cosmetic talcum powder.”
“Talc use has not been strongly linked to other cancers, although not all possible links with other cancers have been studied extensively.”
“The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). One of its major goals is to identify causes of cancer.
- IARC classifies talc that contains asbestos as “carcinogenic to humans.”
- Based on the lack of data from human studies and on limited data in lab animal studies, IARC classifies inhaled talc not containing asbestos as “not classifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans.”
- Based on limited evidence from human studies of a link to ovarian cancer, IARC classifies the perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
If you or a loved one were harmed as a result of a talc product in the United States, you should promptly consult with a talc lawyer in your state who may investigate your talcum powder cancer claim for you and represent you in a claim against the manufacturer of an unreasonably dangerous consumer product, if appropriate.
Visit our website to be connected with talc claim lawyers in your state who may assist you, or telephone us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959.
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